Nissan celebrates selling its 100,000th LEAF to a UK buyer.

• As global sales of Nissan's pioneering electric vehicle hit 100,000, a celebration Nissan LEAF acquires a special sparkle from 100,000 coins
• 50,000 2 pence pieces and 50,000 2 cent pieces to represent Nissan LEAF's low running costs

Nissan LEAF, the world's most popular electric vehicle - with 95% of customers willing to recommend the car to friends - has reached a major milestone in its short life.

After just three years on sale globally, Nissan has delivered the 100,000th example of the zero emission Nissan LEAF. The car, a UK-built top-of-the-range Nissan LEAF Tekna in white, has been sold to a British buyer based in Hampshire.

"For such a revolutionary car, to achieve this sales milestone in such a short space of time is a major achievement," said Guillaume Cartier, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Nissan Europe.

"Don't forget that when Nissan LEAF was launched in 2010, the charging infrastructure was in its infancy. But that didn't deter the pioneers who immediately appreciated the benefits of a purpose-designed electric vehicle. Three years on, many are already on their second Nissan LEAF. With five seats, practical back doors and class-leading boot space volume, the Nissan LEAF is the EV for the real world.

"Today, meanwhile, many cities have growing networks of quick chargers and this is helping accelerate sales of the multi-award winning LEAF."

To celebrate the sales achievement, Nissan has produced a unique version of Nissan LEAF with 100,000 very special optional extras, representing each sale. The car is decorated in 50,000 two pence Sterling coins from the UK and 50,000 two cent Euro coins from Europe.

The choice of coins reflect how cost efficient Nissan LEAF is to run - just £0.02 per mile and less than €0.02 per kilometre.

Creating the coined covered Nissan LEAF took a specialist team of three people a full seven days to complete. Half the car is covered in Sterling and the other in Euros with the word ‘LEAF' highlighted by the use of three layers of coins.

The coins are not likely to be offered as a regular option however: together they add a substantial 504kg to the overall weight of the car.

The coin covered Nissan LEAF has been on display at Martins of Winchester, the Nissan dealer which sold the actual 100,000th car to dentist Brett Garner, a self-confessed ‘technology freak' whose practice is based in nearby Fareham on the South Coast of England.

Brett was prompted to consider the car by a LEAF-owning friend, who praised the car not just for its zero emissions and advanced technology, but also for its low running costs.

"He said he was saving a fortune. My wife wasn't convinced initially but I ran through the finances with her - the low cost of maintenance, insurance, fuel and so on - and she softened a little.

"But when she used the car to make a 500-mile round trip, she was converted. The journey took a little longer than normal with a stop for a quick charge top-up on both legs... now she insists on using the LEAF a couple of days a week," he added.

The LEAF is perfectly suited to Brett's regular daily commute - a 50-mile round trip - and the Garner's have had a Polar charging point installed at their home by British Gas.

"We have another conventional car at home but that only manages 25mpg so we use it sparingly as it costs so much to refuel," he added.

The vehicle's success confirms Nissan's place as the world's leading producer of pure electric vehicles and underlines its pioneering role in redefining the way we think about our future mobility.

Quite apart from its emission-free electric drivetrain, the Nissan LEAF bristles with innovative technology, including smartphone interconnectivity, and offers driving refinement and excitement in equal measures.

"Nissan LEAF is a pioneer in every sense and over the last three years has done a great deal to change attitudes towards electric vehicles - indeed some of the best Nissan LEAF ‘salespeople' are our highly satisfied owners who praise the car whenever they can. We are confident the next 100,000 global sales will come even quicker," said Cartier.

Kia to launch SOUL Electric car but no dates yet for UK sale.

• New Kia Soul EV promises class-leading range of more than 200 km
• 81.4 kW motor produces 285 Nm of torque for fun-to-drive motoring
• UK on-sale date yet to be confirmed

Kia Motors has confirmed that a new all-electric version of the Kia Soul is scheduled to go on sale in export markets during the second half of 2014.  The ‘Kia Soul EV’ will be Kia’s first electrically-driven, zero-emissions family car marketed outside Korea.

“The new Soul EV will be at the forefront of Kia’s new ‘Clean Mobility’ program to provide environmentally-friendly transport to our customers around the world when it goes on sale globally next year,” commented Thomas Oh, Executive Vice President and COO, Kia Motors Corporation.

“Although it is Kia’s first globally-sold all-electric vehicle, the Soul EV is our second-generation battery electric vehicle and significantly benefits from our in-depth experience gained from development of the Ray EV and proven daily operations of the Ray EV fleet for the past three years.”

Paul Philpott, President and Chief Executive of Kia Motors (UK) Limited said: “Whilst this sector of the UK new car market still remains very small, we welcome Kia’s global commitment to developing this technology.

“It is impossible to confirm any details about how we might offer this vehicle to UK motorists as yet – but we will seek to bring Soul EV to the UK. We cannot confirm timings or likely pricing as yet,” he added.

Embodying the cheerful design language of the recently-launched second-generation Kia Soul, the Soul EV is a uniquely designed battery electric vehicle, practical for everyday use.  It will be perfectly suited for city commuters thanks to its class-leading range.  Equipped with a high-capacity 27 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, the Soul EV will be able to drive more than 200 km on a single charge.

The front-wheel drive Soul EV prototype test cars are built on modified versions of the 2014 Kia Soul and are powered by an 81.4 kW electric motor, producing a generous 285 Nm of torque.  The motor delivers its power to the front wheels through a single speed constant ratio gear reduction unit.

Thanks to instantly available torque, the electric drivetrain will ensure that the Soul EV is a fun-to-drive vehicle with rapid acceleration (standstill to 100 kph is predicted to take less than 12 seconds) and a top speed in the region of 145 kph.  To maximise the efficiency and potential range of the Soul EV, regenerative braking captures and recycles into the battery the energy generated while the car is coasting and braking.

Charging is accomplished by plugging the Soul EV into any standard household electricity supply.  Recharging times are up to five hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard 240v or 230v household outlet, or 25 minutes on ‘fast’ charge with 100 kW output.

The absence of engine noise, combined with special sound-proofing materials, will make the production Kia Soul EV extremely quiet inside, contributing to the exceptional refinement levels similar to those of premium vehicles.  Because of its nearly silent operation, for the benefit of pedestrian safety, the Soul EV will be equipped with a VESS (Virtual Engine Sound System) that emits an audio alert at speeds below 20 kph and whenever the car is reversing.

A fleet of disguised prototypes of the new Soul EV is currently undertaking an intensive test program at Kia’s world-class Namyang R&D facility in Korea, as well as in Europe and North America, before manufacturing of customer cars begins in 2014.

The Kia Soul EV is based on the new 2014 Kia Soul which incorporates several significant improvements over the popular first-generation Soul.  Changes included the adoption of an all-new platform (based on the latest Kia cee’d) with a longer (2570 mm) wheelbase, a 29% stiffer bodyshell and upgraded suspension, delivering greatly improved ride, handling and refinement, plus more mature and composed on-road behaviour.

Like the 2014 Kia Soul, the Soul EV will have head-turning styling and exterior features that project a cutting-edge image and discreetly highlight its electric powertrain.  The smooth new-look is inspired by the 2012 Kia Track’ster concept and retains the iconic square-shouldered broad stance of the original Soul model.

Soul EV will offer buyers added sparkle with projection type headlamps, LED positioning lamps, LED rear combination lamps, plus aerodynamically shaped 16” inch alloy wheels.

Inside, Soul EV will be fitted with a unique Supervision instrument cluster and centre stack with an eight-inch display screen.  Appropriately for an eco-friendly vehicle, interior components and trim will use an increased range of recycled materials including Bio Plastic, Bio Foam, Bio Fabric and Bio PET Felt, together with low volatile organic compounds and newly developed antibacterial materials and paint.

Kia launched domestic sales of the Ray EV in Korea in late 2011 and has gained real-world experience of daily operations by supplying a fleet of Ray EVs to government departments and public offices.

Nissan takes number one spot for sales in Norway for October with the LEAF all electric car

• 100% Electric Nissan LEAF best selling car in Norway for October
• Family electric car is fourth best selling car in Norway for 2013 to date
• Increase in demand outside of major cities pushes Nissan LEAF to new EV sales record

The Nissan LEAF, the world's best-selling 100% electric vehicle, has for the first time claimed the number one spot in Norway's passenger car sales chart. In October, the zero emission family car outsold all of its internal combustion engine, hybrid and electric rivals, taking almost 6% of the total passenger vehicle market.

Nissan's second generation LEAF, which was launched earlier in the year, continues to lead the way in zero emission mobility. The Nissan LEAF consistently performs outstandingly in the Norwegian market, the undisputed electric car capital of the world, taking fourth in the sales charts for 2013 to date with over 3% of the market.

Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Nissan Europe Director of Electric Vehicles, is delighted with the latest Norwegian success, commenting: "We have had incredibly strong sales this year in Norway and with the introduction of the new Nissan LEAF in the middle of 2013, we have seen that level not just maintained, but exceeded. To get the number one spot is an extraordinary sales performance, even for the world's best selling electric car, but to be number four in the charts for 2013 so far is something we are incredibly proud of. We continue to be successful in the main Norwegian cities, but the majority of our growth is coming from rural areas, which shows the breadth of the Nissan LEAF's appeal."

Norway has been the centre of the electric vehicle market in Europe for some time, with a package of incentives including zero VAT and zero road tax for electric vehicles as part of efforts to improve air quality for all citizens.

Jacek Gorski, Nissan Nordic Europe Managing Director believes the success is because the car fits Norwegian customers' needs, commenting: "It is no surprise that we are beating even our April record of second position with the new Nissan LEAF, we knew that the latest version was an even better fit to the Norwegian lifestyle. The increased boot capacity, five seats and standard quick charging make it a great family car. In addition, our engineers have designed a Nordic pack including battery heater, just for the Nordic region, to maintain customer satisfaction even in our very cold winters."